Signaling mechanism for automobiles.



S. W. MEREDITH & T. WALSH.

SIGNALING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.19. 1914.

1,150,872, Patented Aug. 24, 1915. I

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SIGNALING MECHANISM'FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-l9. 1914.

1,150,872. Patented Aug. 24, 1915.

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SAMUEL W. MEREDITH AND TIMOTHY WALSH, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SIGNALING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Patent. I

Application filed. August 19, 1914. Serial No. 857,479.

' Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signaling Mechanisms for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in signaling mechanisms for automobiles, the object of the invention being to provide an improved pair of signals located at the rear of the automobile, and underthe control of the-operator to convey to the occupants of a a vehicle in the rear, the intention or purpose of the driver of the automobile in front.

A further object is to provide an improved construction of signal comprising a blade or semaphore and a light, the blade or semaphore normally inclosed in a casing and adapted to be] projected outwardly at an angle therefrom by improved electrical means.

A further object is to provide a signaling mechanism of the character stated which can be installed at a relatively low price,

and which is adapted for operation both during the day and at night. I

With these and other objects inview, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements ofparts as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the 1 claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view in vertical section illustrating one of our improved signaling devices. Fig. 2 is a viewin section on theline 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the rear end of an automobile illustrating our improved signaling mechanism thereon. Fig. 4 is a view in transverse section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 is a view illustrating our improved electric diagram.

1 represents a supporting frame having a rectangular base 2 with an upwardly projecting annular flange 3. At opposite sides of the base, integral uprights 4 and 5 are provided, and support a horizontal crank shaft 6. Thi'scrank shaft 6 is provided with a disk 7 to which a blade or semaphore 8 is secured. The crank arm 9 of shaft 6 is connected by a link 10 with the upper end of an armature 11. The armature 11 is movable in a magnet 12 vertically positioned and supported in the base 2. A coiled spring 13 inside of the magnet exerts an upper pressure on the armature 11 to normally hold the semaphore in its vertical or inoperative position, but when the magnet. is energized, the armature is drawn downwardly and the semaphore is thrown out to a position at right angles to its normal position.

.14 represents a casing which fits over the frame 1. This casing is of general rectangular shape, and its downward movement is limited by the upper end of the upright 5. The lower end of the casing fits around the base 1, and is secured by screws 15 to the flange 3. The casing 14, at one side, is provided with a slot 16, through which the semaphore 8 is adapted to move when projected outwardly by the magnet.

The upright 4, at its upper end, supports a reflector 17 in which an electric light 18 is mounted. Thecasing 14" in front of the electric light 18, is provided with a lens 19,

- so that the light is plainly visible and this lens may be given any desired color which can be plainly seen at night.

In operation, it is our intention to provide two of the signaling devices which'may be supported at any convenient location on the rear of the automobile.

In Fig. 3, we show a rear end of an automobile 20 with our improved signaling devices supported on the mud guards 21, and while we do not limit ourselves to any particular means for attaching the signaling devices, we have shown brackets 22 fixed to .the mud guardsto-which the signaling devices are secured by set screws 23 located in sleeves 24 receiving the brackets 22.

It is our intention to provide in convenient reach of the operator, a switch arm 25, preferably provided with a push button 26 in one end to control the sounding of a horn 27. This switch arm is pivoted, and is adapted to swing in opposite directions, and first engage contacts 28. These contacts 28 are electrically connected with the electro-magnets 12, and lights 18, so that when the lever is swung in either direction, it will operate the signal at the right or left as the case may be.

It is to be understood that the intention of the signaling mechanism is to show by the direction of the semaphore, the way the automobile is to turn. If the automobile is to stop, both semaphores will be thrown up- Patented Aug. 24, 1915.

wardly and outwardly. To accomplish this, i

we provide at both sides of the arm 25, two pairs of contacts 29 which are so close together that the arm 25 can engage both of these contacts, hence when the arm 25 is swung to either extreme position, it will cause both of the signaling mechanisms to operate either to raise the semaphores or light the electric lamps.

In circuit with the lights 18, we include pilot lights 30 to indicate to the operator whether or not the lamps are working perfectly, and in the pilot light circuits, we provide switches 31 which can be opened during the day to permit only the semaphores to be operated without wasting the current for the light.

It is our intention to use any source of electric current indicated at 32, and connect the same with the several magnets, lights, and contacts as clearly shown in the diagram in Fig. 5 to bring about the desired results. The invention is, however, not limited to any particular arrangement of electric circuits as we may vary the circuits to suit conditions.

Various slight changes might be made in the general form and arrangement of parts described without departing from our invention, and hence we do not limit ourselves to the precise details set forth, but consider ourselves at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention,what we. claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A signaling mechanism of the character stated comprising a frame consisting of a base having parallel uprights thereon, one of said uprights on its upper end supporting a reflector, a lamp in the reflector, and a semaphore supported by the frame below the reflector, an electro-magnet operating the semaphore, and a casing inclosing the frame, said casing having a slot for the passage of the semaphore and having a t-ansparent portion in front of the lamp, substantially as described.

2. A signaling mechanism of the character stated comprising a frame consisting of a base having parallel'uprights thereon, one of said uprights supporting a reflector, a lamp in the reflector, a semaphore supported by the frame below the reflector, an electromagnet operating the semaphore, said electro-magnet supported on the base and operatively connected with the semaphore, and a spring normally holding the semaphore in vertical position, and a casing inclosing the frame, said casing having a slot for the passage of the semaphore and having a transparent portion in front of the lamp, substantially as described.

3. A signaling mechanism of the character stated comprising a frame consisting of a base having parallel uprights thereon, one of said uprights supporting a reflector, a lamp in the reflector, a casing fitting over the frame and having a lens in front of the reflector, said casing having a slot therein, a semaphore supported in the casing and movable through the slot, and an electro-magnet operating the semaphore, substantially as described.

at. A signaling mechanism of the character stated, comprising a frame consisting of a base having parallel uprights thereon, one of said uprights supporting a reflector, a lamp in the reflector, a casing fitting over the frame and bearing at its upper end against the other of said uprights, and having a lens in front of the reflector, said casing having a slot therein, a semaphore supported in the casing and movable through the slot, an electro-magnet operating the semaphore, and screws securing the lower end of the casing to the frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

lVitnesses:

C. E. POTTS, C. R. ZIEGLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

